Delta Cancels Flights To Israel Amid Security Concerns

Delta Airlines is suspending flights to Israel indefinitely, amid safety concerns stemming from the current conflict in the Middle East. The company announced Tuesday (July 22) that Tel Aviv-bound Delta flight 468,was diverted to Paris following a reported rocket launch near the airport in Israel.

“Delta has suspended service until further notice to and from Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and its New York-JFK hub,” the airline said in a statement. “Delta, in coordination with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, is doing so to ensure the safety and security of our customers and employees.”

Another Delta flight headed for Tel Aviv Tuesday was canceled in Philadelphia before making it’s way to Israel.

Both Israel and Hamas have been firing rockets back and forth for the last several days. The latest outbreak of conflict has thus far killed more than 20 Israelis, and over 500 Palestinians.

Delta also announced that it would not be operating “flights through Ukraine airspace” in wake of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 that was shot down last week. Close to 300 passengers, and flight crew, were killed.